Man jailed for at least nine years for sexual assault

TWO escorts were forced at knifepoint to call their colleagues to say they were okay before they were sexually assaulted.

Ibrahim Altaf denied two counts of assault by penetration.

But the 31-year-old of Oakly Road in Redditch was found guilty and ordered to serve at least nine years in jail at Worcester Crown Court on Monday (April 23).

The offences happened at Altaf's home, after he booked the two escort girls, both in their 20s.

The girls turned up on separate occasions and in both cases Altaf produced knives and forced the victims to telephone colleagues to say they were all right, before sexually assaulting them.

Det Con Sophie Gaffney, of West Mercia Police, said: "This case centred on the issue of consent, with Altaf's defence being that the victims were willing participants, but that there were disputes about the length of time they stayed, and the fees paid.

"Escort girls are vulnerable due to the nature of the job, which inevitably puts them into risky situations. However, every woman has the right to say no, and clients must accept and respect that right.

"These women went through a horrific ordeal. They have been very brave in coming forward, and then going through the further ordeal of having to give evidence in court.

"While crimes of this nature are rare in West Mercia, hopefully this case will reassure people that we robustly pursue all allegations involving sexual assaults, whatever the circumstances."